Thiruvananthapuram: Former health minister K.K Shailaja rejected the Magsasay award given to her in recognition of her leadership of Kerala’s Covid defence, which had come in for wholesome praise globally.

Political circles cite differences within the party leadership about the Shailaja’s claim to fame. He herself told the media the decision was based on consultations within the state and central leadership of the party as the achievement of the state in fighting Covid-19 was the result of collective efforts and not due to individual excellence.

Notably, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had replaced Shailaja Teacher, as she is known more as, in the daily briefings about Covid and the steps to counter the spread of the disease. Also, she was surprisingly dropped from the Vijayan’s second ministry despite her stellar performance as minister. She had previously accepted several honours in this regard and on those occasions the collective leadership had never raised any issue. It is believed the award was rejected because it did not have the sanction from the state party leadership.

There have been occasions when the former health minister has been critical of the present government’s policies during debates in the assembly. The sensitivity involved in the award rejection was further highlighted by a clarification in Delhi by party general secretary Sitaram Yechury that the credit for the government’s Covid defence must go to the government and the party collectively and not to any individual.

However, reports said she declined as the late President of the Philippines was kno wn for his alleged brutality against the Communists.

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